Former Chicago Bulls great remains in minds of NBA players

HOUSTON – Michael Jordan turned 50 on Sunday, giving this year’s All-Stars a chance to reflect on his illustrious career and how much he still means to the sport.

In a weekend filled with the NBA’s greatest players, Jordan was the topic no one could stop talking about. Though he hasn’t played since the 2002-03 season, Jordan’s influence still permeates the league and its players.

“Every kid that wanted to play basketball, that could play, that couldn’t play, you tried to emulate Michael Jordan,” Heat star Dwyane Wade said. “That’s why there will never be another one of him. He’s the first of his kind. Everything he did was groundbreaking. He did it with so much flare and so much pizazz that even today people are still trying to be like Mike.”

Jordan won six titles and five MVP awards during a career spent mostly with the Bulls that began in 1984.

Jordan was in Houston this weekend, and celebrated his birthday early with a private bash on Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts with guests including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is so impressed with Jordan that he said he’s like a real version of Superman.

“Be Like Mike” was more than a marketing campaign. It was a dream for many of today’s players.

“He’s amazing,” Howard said. “He’s one of the reasons why we played basketball. He inspired us to do great things. I hear his voice sometimes on commercials, it makes you want to get out there and try to do something.”

Jordan retired twice before finally leaving the game for good at age 39. Some people wondered this weekend if he could still play in the NBA, despite reaching the age where he qualifies for an AARP card.

Wade believes this day will be a time for Jordan to reflect on his storied career and appreciate his family and health.

“Kind of look back at all the things he did, so many years ago in the NBA that still lives on today,” Wade said. “What he’s been able to do to stay this relevant, in this role, the way he has, is phenomenal.”

Though he isn’t seen often, Jordan is never far from the game. He is close to a group of players through his Jordan Brand apparel and as the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks counts Jordan as one of the most influential in his decision to play basketball.

“He changed the game, transcended the game,” Anthony said. “He changed the way people coached the game from a mental aspect. From a training aspect, how you approach that, he changed that.

“So for me as a kid to see that and see somebody go through that and succeed, that was motivation.”